The Aeneid
The Aeneid, by Virgil, is an epic that attempts to give the Roman Empire an illustrious founding. As the story progresses, Virgil presents two very real human emotions: pietas, and impious furor. Pietas is duty towards the Gods, country, and family. Impious furor, in contrast, is the feeling of fury and passion. These two emotions are consistently at odds with each other. Many characters within the epic, such as Juno, are consumed by their own fury, a trait which Virgil sheds negative light on. Aeneas, the hero and central character, on the other hand, is a man who is presented as pious and dutiful. He obeys the Gods and journeys to Rome. However, at the end of the novel, Aeneas himself is overtaken by rage, and he kills out of vengeance. Virgil's goal in writing the Aeneid is to present Aeneas as a pious individual, and thus giving Rome a glorious founding. By closing the novel with an act of rage, however, Virgil portrays Aeneas as a ruthless killer. The ending is inappropriate because it casts doubt on the very reason for which Virgil wrote the Aeneid. Aeneas is presented as someone who is the model of pietas. A Roman must show piety towards his family, his country, and above all, piety to the Gods. When Aeneas visits Carthage,
he falls in love with Queen Dido, and plans to remain there for an indefinite amount of time. However, he is quickly reminded of the more important task at hand. Are you forgetful Of what is your own kingdom, your own fate? remember Ascanius growing up, the hopes you hold For Iulus, your own heir, to whom are owed The realm of Italy and land of Rome. (Aeneid, 4:353-369) Mercury, the messenger god, is scolding Aeneas for remaining in Carthage. Mercury reminds him that he must remember his "fate," and that he should leave for Italy immediately. He also reminds Aeneas of his son Ascanius, and that he should leave for Latium so that his son can eventually rule over the "realm of Italy." Aeneas now must make a decision, does he stay with Dido, the woman he loves, or does he continue his journey to found Rome? Even though Aeneas "longs to soften, soothe [Dido's] sorrow" (Aeneid, 4:540) because he cares for her, "pious Aeneas carries out the gods'/instructions" (Aeneid, 4:544-545). Pietas is love for Gods and putting aside your own heart to comply with the will of Gods. Therefore, Aeneas gives up Dido and instead chooses Rome and its glorious future. He is being dutiful by following the words of Mercury, who in turn represents Jove, God of Olympus. Virgil clearly intends this to be seen as a commendable trait. In addition, Aeneas is explicitly referred to as "pious" within the text. This description of Aeneas is appropriate, because by choosing the Gods over Dido, he has now become worthy of the term piety. Virgil is attempting to make a distinction between Aeneas and the other characters of the Aeneid. While other's may indulge their anger, Aeneas has control over his emotions. One different point of view that can be presented against Aeneas's piety is his killing in the war against the Latins. Aeneas kills many of Turnus' men in the course of the battle. However, Aeneas, in his battle with Lausus, feels compassion for the man he has beaten. "Poor boy, for such an act what can the pious/ Aeneas give to match so bright a nature?/ Keep as your own the arms that made you glad;/ and to the shades and ashes of your parents I
Some common words found in the essay are:
Roman Empire, Latins Aeneas, Liger Latin, Juno Aeolus, Juno Goddess, Aeneid Aeneas, Trojans Juno, Turnus Aeneid, Empire Aeneas's, Queen Dido, impious furor, aeneas pious, own impious furor, towards gods, consumed own, juno's anger, own impious, begs aeneas, anger aeneas, aeneas pious individual, final act, sword liger's breast, pious individual,
Approximate Word count = 1435
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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